The number of CEOs departures last month fell 30% to 92, compared to 132 a year ago. February's total was also slightly lower than that of January, when 96 top executives exited their posts, according to job-services firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas.

Whether it was a fresh startup or a fresh start, fewer Americans seemed willing to take career risks last year, according to a new report by Challenger, Gray & Christmas. The percentage of job-seekers starting their own businesses or relocating for new positions fell to historic lows in 2010.

Last month, 96 CEO changes were announced by U.S. based companies, reports job-services firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas, among them the heads of Google and Advanced Micro Devices. The number is down 9% from December, but 8% higher than January 2010, when 89 CEOs left their corner offices behind.

It's hard to fathom that something as mundane as weather could affect employment statistics. But it clearly does. And it also has big impact on how much work actually gets done. And beyond the snows of winter, there's distractions like the Super Bowl that keep worker from their duties.

Job cuts in technology fields came to just under 47,000 last year, the lowest total for the sector since 2000, according to employment-services firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas. Better still, during the next 10 years, the sector is forecast to experience one of the fastest paces of job creation of any industry.

An increasing number of observers, citing a preponderance of positive data, are optimistic that the stagnant labor market is finally beginning to gain momentum. But the pace is still way too slow for those desperately seeking work.

Though the job market remains challenging, for one group, the labor market was at its steadiest of the year last month. The number of chief executives departing their jobs fell to 79 in November, the lowest monthly number of 2010, according to job-services firm Challenger, Gray & Christmas.

Retailers and shipping companies are adding fewer new jobs than they did a year ago. One reason for the low number is that employers began shopping for seasonal workers earlier than usual, boosting hiring in October. If retail sales hold up, December could see more hiring.

The percentage of unemployed managers and executives relocating for new positions fell to a record low in the third quarter, according to analysis by Challenger, Gray & Christmas. The relocation rate for the last four quarters has averaged just 7.3%.

If the recession and subsequent high employment proves anything, it's this: The scarcity of jobs hasn't made workers any smarter. Just-fired CNN anchor Rick Sanchez is a good example. Unfortunately, he's hardly the only one.